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Mansel A Nelson Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals. Basics of Indoor Air Quality Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities. Presentation. How Lungs Work Homes and Schools Basics of IAQ Source Reduction Ventilation Air Cleaning. How Lungs Work. Mansel Nelson, ITEP. Lungs.
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Mansel A Nelson Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals Basics of Indoor Air Quality Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities
Presentation • How Lungs Work • Homes and Schools • Basics of IAQ • Source Reduction • Ventilation • Air Cleaning www.nau.edu/eeop
How Lungs Work Mansel Nelson, ITEP
Cardiovascular Connection Gases and small particles distributed widely after entering bloodstream If lungs are not functioning properly, heart must work harder
Protect the Lungs of Young Children • Lungs of young children are very sensitive • Air pollution can damage lungs for a lifetime • Exposure to air pollutants can cause asthma, which can last a lifetime • Lung infections can damage lungs for a lifetime
Air Pollution in Schools • People - everyone is a source of pollutants • Personal care products and body odors • Students & staff with communicable diseases • Inadequate ventilation • Radon • Classroom pets • Excess moisture leading to mold • Dry-erase markers and chalk
Air Pollution in Schools (cont.) Cleaning materials Odors from paint, caulk, and adhesives Insects and other pests Science class Art class Outdoor pollutants, including trash odors and bus exhaust nau.edu/iaqtc
Air Pollution in Homes Pollution inside typical home 2–5 Xsworse than outdoors May be 1,000 Xs worse than outdoor after some activities Many illnesses can be traced back to the home Indoor air pollution one of top 5 most-serious environmental risks to public health
Air Pollution in Homes (cont.) Impacted by Occupant choices and activities Maintenance of home Design of home Climate
Basic Principles Source Control Ventilation Air Cleaning
Personal Care/Cosmetics TVs & Computers Furniture Lead Asbestos Automobile Carpeting Cleaning Products & Pesticides Furniture Flooring Radon
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) No risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke Following actions DO NOT protect nonsmokers • Separating smokers from nonsmokers • Cleaning the air • Ventilating buildings
Smoking in Homes • Protect • Children • Non-smoking family members • Visitors • In multi-dwelling homes – other occupants
Wood/Coal Burning Stoves Maintain stoves and flues EPA Certified stoves preferred Consider switching to cleaner heating sources
Cleaners and Air Fresheners Average US household uses 40 lbs of chemicals each year Average household stores more than 60 hazardous products Loaded with fragrances and petroleum-distilled chemicals (Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs))
Air Fresheners DO NOT “clean” the air– they add more air pollutants
Health Concerns with Typical Cleaners Frequent users of conventional cleaning and disinfecting products have higher levels of occupational asthma* People in buildings where conventional products are used can also be affected Children born into households using toxic cleaning products twice as likely to have wheezing Over last 20-30 years, level of toxins stored in adipose tissue (fat cells) have risen *“Studies of Health Impacts Associated with Cleaning Products”http://www.informedgreensolutions.org/?q= publications/studies-health-impacts-associated-cleaning-products
Identifying Safer Products Third-party certified Green Seal EcoLogo EPA’s Design for the Environment
Pesticides Read and follow label instructions IPM preferred
Carbon Monoxide (CO) • All burning emits CO • Ventilate combustion appliances correctly • All burning needs O2 • Alarms are backup
Radon • Radioactive gas • Radon is everywhere • No known safe level of radon • Recommend testing of all buildings • Second leading cause of lung cancer www.radonleaders.org www.nau.edu/eeop
Basic Principles Source Control Ventilation Air Cleaning
Source Ventilation Excess moisture in bathroom can lead to mold
Source Ventilation (cont.) Cooking releases moisture Gas stoves release low CO and lots of moisture Make sure range hood vents to outside
Ventilation • ASHRAE Standard 62-1989: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality.
HVAC for Offices and Schools Continuous supply of fresh air is needed Proper maintenance of system Don’t block air flows Check outside air intakes
Basic Principles Source Control Ventilation Air Cleaning Air cleaning is recommended only after proper source control and ventilation
Air Cleaners • No Ozone Air Cleaners • True HEPA Filter • Consider Activated Charcoal • Size for the space
Resources nau.edu/iaqtc www4.nau.edu/itep/air/training_aq.asp www.epa.gov/iaq www.epa.gov/iaqtribal/ www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/indoorenv/ nau.edu/iaqtc
Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Mansel A. Nelson, Senior Program Coordinator Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities Northern Arizona University (NAU) nau.edu/iaqtc/ mansel.nelson@nau.edu Voice 928 523 1275 FAX 928 523 1280 PO Box 5768, Flagstaff, AZ 86011